Us, Sept. 3 -- China's grand vision of a "new world order"- one defined by its own model of global governance, free from Western hegemony - has come under severe scrutiny because of its limited, rather faltering role in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Despite Beijing's sporadic attempt to project influence, the recent unfolding of events reveals a blunt disconnect between China's interests in the region and its real peace-making capacity, or one might say intentions in the Middle East. This disconnect could have sharp implications for China's ambitions of global leadership.

China's foreign policy in the Middle East hinges on securing energy access and expanding its global clout. It imports over 90% of Iran's oil and has invested rou...